Raven's Hollow

I wanted to like this very badly. I love 1800 New England and autumnal settings and gothic horror. The whole setting and aesthetic was right up my alley. Unfortunately, this movie did not live up to my hopes.

The main problem, I'm sorry too say, is the acting. William Moseley is not up to the task of playing young Poe. I believe he's going for the whole 'stoic 1800s Northerner' thing, but he never drops this affect for a moment. He never seems scared or really terrribly affected by the goings on around him. The performance is overall much too flat. He can't carry off some of the flowery dialogue that is clearly inspired by Poe's writing. You never buy that the horrors in this movie turned this clean-cut cadet into a tortured gothic horror writer. He's just not Edgar Allan Poe.

A very atmospheric film, made in true Gothic style, which will draw you into its story and separate you from our world. The film is surrounded by a wave of mystery, from the very beginning you feel that something is not right, but what is that something, who is Raven or what is Raven? Watch the film to find out, otherwise the film effects are excellent and the acting is top notch.

What I didn't like about the movie was the last 20 minutes, and that's why I didn't give it a 10/10. Those 20 minutes are somehow rushed, illogical, you simply get the impression that the film should not have gone in that direction.

However, due to the positive things listed above, I think it is worth watching and that the film has its own artistic connotation. My recommendation.

Above average fare from Shudder... great use of light, and settings and atmosphere are exceptional for the budget.

I've always loved the appropriation of historical figures placed in fictional scenarios especially if the timeline lines up... and in this case it does indeed. A cursory search will reveal that Poe did attend West Point in 1930 and the season depicted suggests that the story takes place in Fall, which also works wonderfully.

The antagonist serving as an inspiration for Poe's famous 'Raven' - while somewhat expected - was also nicely tied in.

Slightly more on the Thriller side than Horror but come on, it's Edgar Allan Poe... it's Horror.

A bit sluggish at times but a great way to kick off this year's marathon.

6.5/10

#31DaysOfHalloween2022.

This movie had all the makings of a great folk horror/ creature feature... but a few missteps sent it down the wrong forest path...

Raven's Hollow had a relatively original and intriguing plot in the grand scheme of things. Is it 100% something you have NEVER seen before? No. But there were aspects and twists to this tale that felt fresh and different. Definitely a slow burn with some good tension building and solid spook factor. The movie also looked great (quality and shots), score was on point and the special effects were pretty great as well.

I would say the biggest misstep here was the acting/ casting. Unfortunately, some very stilted performances and iffy delivery did the movie some detrimental disservices. Pretty much everyone faltered at some point (except maybe the mother) causing a continual back and forth between being in the moment and being pulled out of it. Unfortunately, the worst of the bunch was the actor who played Poe. While I don't think he did an abismal job or is a bad actor, as an actor myself I didn't find anything particularly redeeming or down to earth about his performance as a whole or really his delivery in any one moment specifically either.

I also had a bit of an issue with the ending. Not so much with the ending itself but more so the way it was delivered to us. Maybe I'm simple, but it got a bit convoluted and a tad confusing, even with the exposition being in a moderately spoonfed monologue.

At the end of the day this was a creative bit of fiction about the makings of what we know Edgar Allan Poe to be today, filled with little Easter egg references to his works if you are familiar. It was spooky and had some interesting bits throughout and if you can look past the questionable acting and the slow pace it is worth a watch. Would recommend.

First and foremost, this is a very moody, atmospheric Gothic Horror film, as I mention in the title above. The lighting, cinematography, and MOST the acting is quite good. But, you need to remember, this movie is almost ALL mood. There are a few truly gruesome moments, but those expecting any level of Action at all will likely be disappointed.

That's probably why I may have scored this filma bit higher than most. Because for my personal taste, if a director can create a really effective mood, than to me that is one of the more important things I would look for in a movie like this, especially with its really heavy Gothic atmosphere. I do kind of agree though with Taske95, another reviewer here, where they state that the beginning half of the film is done really well, and the last half, although still somewhat effective, does kind of drop off a little.

I think the contrast is heightened by the extremely well done way the first half is, so that when it continues into the second half you can tell the difference. I feel that with a bit more of a deft hand at the writing (the direction is quite excellent) they could have followed through with a better 2nd and 3rd act. When they reveal something of what is actually going on, that is a good progression of the story and is intriguing, but I think what they do with it and the way they develop it is not nearly as good as the first half. There are also a TON of Poe references, so if you are into him at all, you'll like that.

But, with that said, overall I feel that the mood and time period is very authentic with excellent performances all around. With maybe the slight exception of the daughter at the inn... I just think that since all the other performances are so good, hers kind of stands out just a tad as perhaps more pedestrian and a bit superficial. But, I don't think it ruins the story or anything. But, quite honestly, I think with a MUCH stronger actress in her role, the overall effect would have been a lot better. Since her character is rather important, I feel the story would have greatly benefited with a more powerful, emotive actress, just my opinion... : )

So, if you really enjoy strongly Gothic, atmospheric Horror films and you don't mind a slow-burn story, and you like a good sense of Mystery, and you can really get into the mood of a period piece like this, AND you don't expect a lot of Action or tons of overt horror, there is a chance that you might find this one entertaining as I did.